Flexible Agreement for the provision of Fostering Agency Placements

Lancashire County Council (the Council) are leading on the procurement of an open Flexible

Agreement for the Provision of Fostering Agency Placements.

Since 2019 Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackpool Council, Cumbria County Council and

Lancashire County Council (BBLC) have been collaborating as part of a Department of

Education funded project to improve the sufficiency of foster care placements across the

authorities. By working together, the four Contracting Bodies have developed the Flexible

Agreement which this procurement intends to establish, with the aim to influence the

behaviour of these agencies in order to prioritise the Children from the four Contracting

Bodies within the combined authorities' geographical footprint.

The Flexible Agreement will be a list of approved Independent Foster Care Providers.

It is intended that the Flexible Agreement will remain effect for 9 years, Service Contracts

can be awarded as call-off contracts as detailed within the Invitation to Participate (ITP).

This procurement procedure is considered to be subject to the Light Touch Regime under the

Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Providers can apply to join the Flexible Agreement, if Applicants satisfy the required criteria.

The Flexible Agreement will be open for new Applications during the initial Application

phase. Once the initial Application deadline has passed (see ITP for dates), Providers can

apply to join every three years throughout the term. (See the Council's eTendering portal

iSupplier and ITP for dates). Following an evaluation process, applicants will receive an

outcome notification. Successful Applicants will be required to sign a Flexible Agreement

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and will be appointed as a provider.

Lancashire County Council's Flexible Agreement may be used by Contracting Authorities

listed below and any successor council as defined in The Local Government (Structural

Changes) (Transfer of Functions, Property, Rights and Liabilities) Regulations 2008 to the

Contracting Authorities.

• Cumbria County Council

• Blackpool Council

• Blackburn with Darwen Council

Please note that Cumbria County Council is currently undergoing a local government

reorganisation and Government has announced that Cumbria County Council is to be

replaced by two unitary authorities with effect form 01 April 2023. Therefore, Cumbria

County Council will be entitled to novate the Flexible Agreement for the provision of

Fostering Agency Placements to any successor council.

The Flexible Agreement will be split into the following Lots:

• Lot 1 Mainstream Foster Care

• Lot 2 Enhanced Foster Care

• Lot 3 Step Down Foster Care

Applicants must be successful in Lot 1 to be eligible for Lot 2 and/or Lot 3.

Estimated total value up to £375,000,000 - £415,000,000.